Barnaby Joyce was key to better drought policy, despite not producing a report when he was a special envoy. Drought Minister David Littleproud this week responded to Labor's order for documents in the Senate, asking for Mr Joyce's final report from his work as drought envoy. "The request for the former special envoy for drought assistance and recovery's report cannot be complied with as he did not prepare a final report and as such no document exists," he wrote. Mr Joyce said in May he was disappointed the role was ditched after the coalition was re-elected in May. He spent time visiting communities across eastern Australia grappling with the prolonged dry spell and provided advice to government. Nationals leader Michael McCormack told reporters in Melbourne on Friday he was pleased with Mr Joyce's work, which was being continued by Mr Littleproud within the cabinet. "Barnaby Joyce did his job as the drought envoy - he went out to communities, he listened to them and he provided feedback to cabinet as he was tasked to do," Mr McCormack said. "His advice was very helpful to cabinet to form better policy to make sure we can continue to address the drought and continue to stand side-by-side with, not just our farmers, but also our rural communities." Asked whether drought-hit rural communities would be disappointed there was no report, Mr McCormack said, "Drought communities are disappointed it is not raining." He said the government was getting on with providing funds to build new dams and fast-track their approval. "I want to build the dams to help drought-proof our nation." It is understood Mr Joyce met with the prime minister a number of times to discuss his findings from visits to drought-hit communities. The federal cabinet later signed off on a $7 billion plan to respond to the drought. Australian Associated Press

Joyce work crucial to drought policy: Nats

Deputy PM Michael McCormack has staunchly defended the work of Barnaby Joyce as drought envoy.

Barnaby Joyce was key to better drought policy, despite not producing a report when he was a special envoy.

Drought Minister David Littleproud this week responded to Labor's order for documents in the Senate, asking for Mr Joyce's final report from his work as drought envoy.

"The request for the former special envoy for drought assistance and recovery's report cannot be complied with as he did not prepare a final report and as such no document exists," he wrote.

Mr Joyce said in May he was disappointed the role was ditched after the coalition was re-elected in May.

He spent time visiting communities across eastern Australia grappling with the prolonged dry spell and provided advice to government.

Nationals leader Michael McCormack told reporters in Melbourne on Friday he was pleased with Mr Joyce's work, which was being continued by Mr Littleproud within the cabinet.

"Barnaby Joyce did his job as the drought envoy - he went out to communities, he listened to them and he provided feedback to cabinet as he was tasked to do," Mr McCormack said.

"His advice was very helpful to cabinet to form better policy to make sure we can continue to address the drought and continue to stand side-by-side with, not just our farmers, but also our rural communities."

Asked whether drought-hit rural communities would be disappointed there was no report, Mr McCormack said, "Drought communities are disappointed it is not raining."

He said the government was getting on with providing funds to build new dams and fast-track their approval.

"I want to build the dams to help drought-proof our nation."

It is understood Mr Joyce met with the prime minister a number of times to discuss his findings from visits to drought-hit communities.

The federal cabinet later signed off on a $7 billion plan to respond to the drought.